Power Point fails
Too many words, too many pics, too many whiz-bang entry styles. Keep it simple, use the right image for the right lesson.
Don't use ppt for EVERYTHING! It's over used and overrated.
James,
I often lament that PPT is a tool, and every tool has a specific and approriate use. Using the wrong tool for a job can mess things up, so it is with PPT. Like the old saying "to a hammer, everything is a nail!".
Barry Westling
In many respects I agree with that statement. As a coding instructor, I need the students looking at thier manuals and not at a power point reinventing the manual. I use a hands on aproach and put examples up with the power point to reinforce the manual. When I first started I used the PPT and the students had a big yawn.
My advice, use it wisely or die!
James,
PPT is a tool. Like all tools, it has a specific purpose for a specific task. To use it outside of it's intended purpose usually doesn't work out well. To me, the best PPT slides supplement the material the instructor uses to guide the students through lecture, discussion, illustrations, etc. As a tool, it should not be the focus of attention, only a means to an end.
Barry Westling
PowerPoint is overrated. I use about 2 PowerPoints in a 5 week class. I feel like if students never see another way to present the information, then they will be lost when they get to the workplace and are required to present info with traditional media.
Brandi,
As instructors we should think about what is the best way for our students to learn the material. Just because a tool like PPT exists does not mean it must be used. On the other hand, if delivery of needed information is best presented by multiple PPT sessions, then we should defer to that. In general, the more variety of delivery methods enhances learning. And, it makes for more interesting classes.
Barry Westling
When it comes to pp presentations and or the use of them I have to say that they do need to be direct to the point and full of ways to engage the student. If all the instructor is doing is just reading off of the pp then you will lose the students very quickly because they feel that they can read on their own but if you use them in a way that engages them in the topic being discussed then you are helping them learn the material. It is just like hands on students typically learn best when this method is used simply becauese they are the ones doing so they want to get it right well the same goes for pp presentations if they are structured corretly and engage the students in a q and a so to speak you are using a tool that helps them learn the material.
Valonda,
I'm with you. PPT slides are a tool, and every tool has a specific purpose and use. To use it other wise is really abuse. In the classroom, we want our students to be engaged, with an interesting and useful variety of media and learning resources. I say back off of the PPT and use it only when that is the best tool for the job.
Barry Westling
I think that the perception some students have about Power Point presentations is that they are just another class and not worth your time to come up with new lessons for them. I know it's not true but perception counts for a lot! I usually make a comment before a PP to the effect that I made it specifically for their class. Also not entirely true but it does seem to perk them up.
Robert,
Good point. For me, I think of PPT as a tool, one of many. When it's used, it's for a specific use and purpose, with a specfic outcome in mind. Too many slides, or information that can obtained easier elsewhere are usually not put on PPT slides. Also, it is common for me to vascillate between the PPT slides (fade to dark screen) and I'll use the whiteboard to ampflify a point, then I'll return to the slides. Variety like this helps keep the interest and focus of students.
Barry Westling
I agree, keep it simple!!!! If the slide looks busy then the students will be overwhelmed!
Melissa,
Too many slides or too much information on the slides is useful for no one. It's distracting and contributes little to effective learning.
Barry Westling
I agree. I have a few assignments were the students are to create a PPT presentation and I actually have them do it in two parts. For part I I ask them to create a PPT with no bells and whistles just content, no images, just text. Then for part II I ask them to add in selected images, background, color and even animation. I emphasize that these additions should highlight and enhance the content (text) not distract.
I feel as though that most get so focussed on the additions they lose focus on the message.
Leigh,
Good exercise. The message and content is what is important, not the tool that provides it.
Barry Westling
as a student I found that teachers used way to many slides with to much on the slides. Coming from a perfessional job to teaching I tryed my slides out on my kids at home. I ended up cut out a tone of stuff. The kids were right I was able to keep the students attion more with less
Paula,
"Less is more" in some cases. I have had an hour discussion with one slide, and even that slide didn't have a ton of information, just afew bullet points that led my way through my amplified elaboration on each of the bullet points.
Barry Westling
I agree. I know an instructor who said "watch out for death by PowerPoint". I did not listen to him and spent countless hours making PowerPoint lectures with too many slides, too many gee whiz moments and too many words. Another instructor was just as effective with a chalk board, overhead projector and handouts. Actually he was more effective. Now I have to go back and deconstruct all my lectures.
Kathryn,
I think of PPT as a tool. Like any tool, each has it's specific time and place, especially when used appropriately. So it is with PPT slides. An old saying..."to a hammer, everything is a nail". Socrates talked, students reponded, he listened, then gave feedback. We can do the same using our modern tools. I call this checking for understanding, and is done continuously throughout the lesson.
Barry Westling
I disagree because I have learned how to integrate power point with my books and discussion. While my slides are up the students are following in their books and I am adding dialogue to every slide. I routinely ask for questions as we go and this all adds up to great lectures that the students easily endure and always learn from.
Paul,
Appropriate use of PPT is a wonderful tool, and it sounds like like you have a good handle on it. It's the inappropriate use that most of the posts in this section are refering to. In general, the more variety we can incorporate into every lesson. the more interesting will be the class, and students will be more engaged, resulting in better retention of essential material.
Barry Westling
